War Thunder News

[p][/p][p][/p][p]Today we’ll be taking look at the Italian MB-326K, with the model created by a War Thunder player![/p][p][/p][p] [/p][h3]Vehicle History[/h3][p]When the world’s air forces were actively transitioning to jet technology in the 1950s, Italian company Aermacchi, under the leadership of designer Ermanno Bazzocchi, proposed a compromise between specialized trainer aircraft and converted fighters. Developed in 1953, the MB-326 project combined the comfortable controllability of trainer aircraft with the combat potential of a light attack aircraft.[/p][p][/p][p]The prototype first took to the skies on December 10th 1957, equipped with a British Viper ASV.8 engine with 795 kgf of thrust. As early as 1960, deliveries of the pre-production batch to the Italian Air Force began, with large-scale production following shortly after in 1962. The basic version for the Italian Air Force had no armament, but the MB-326B export modification fitted with six underwing pylons became quite a success internationally.[/p][p][/p][p]In total, around 800 units of various modifications were produced, including licensed production in Brazil, South Africa, and Australia.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Introducing the MB-326K![/h3][p]This versatile aircraft made quite a stir on the international military equipment market during the 1960s, and became the foundation of the jet aviation fleet of several nations. Say hello to the strike modification of the Aermacchi MB-326 trainer-combat aircraft! This interesting new machine will join rank V of the Italian air tree in the Spearhead major update, so let’s take a closer look![/p][p][/p][p]The variant arriving to the game is the MB-326K version, which is a combat modification. Like all early jets, the MB-326K is subsonic, although even with a heavy load it can easily maintain a speed above 700 km/h at low altitudes. On top of this, it features fantastic controllability and excellent maneuverability for its class, which is vital for a strike aircraft![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Interesting: The MB-326K model was created by War Thunder player Vitaly “NovA29” Vostokov![/p][p][/p][p]While compact, the MB-326K is capable of carrying an impressive payload on its six hardpoints. You’ll be able to equip a wide range of classic weaponry, from various free-fall bombs of calibers between 250 and 500 lb, napalm bombs, and unguided rockets. Stock, the MB-326K features a pair of 30 mm DEFA 533 cannons, though you can also bolster the weaponry with several 7.62 mm miniguns, and two additional 30 mm cannons of the same type.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]The MB-326K will be joining the beginning of rank V in the Italian air tree, and for many pilots this will be the first jet aircraft they encounter. As a strike aircraft, the MB-326K will be a strong addition to combined battles, fitting nicely into several lineups. In Air Battles, it can confidently wipe out ground targets and bases with its large arsenal, while also being able to effectively fight enemy aircraft thanks to its powerful frontal armament and excellent maneuverability, making it a very strong and forgiving entry point into jet combat.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]The quick and nimble MB-326K will be available for research in the Spearhead major update, we’re still getting everything ready for release but we’re not far off! Stay tuned to the news and we’ll see you soon for more![/p][p]Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p]Hello again! We’re happy to be back with some more historical monthly decals for November, we hope you liked the options for October and are eager to unlock some more! As always you’ll have 5 brand new decals to unlock, and 5 others from older events to help you complete your collection. We’re happy to add the traditional British eye marking which has been requested for a while, and to include some interesting older decals like “Super Slick” and an obscure French emblem from the French 7th BCC. We hope you enjoy them, and keep leaving your suggestions![/p][p][/p]

[p]The following decals will be available from November 7th (11:00 GMT) until December 8th (09:00 GMT).[/p][p]All tasks can be completed using vehicles that are rank III or higher.[/p]

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[/p][hr][/hr][h3][/h3][h3]“Chinese Eye” Marking[/h3][p]“Chinese Eye” marking, Royal Tank Regiment, British Army. The tradition of painting eyes on tanks is almost as old as tanks themselves, dating back to the First World War. A prominent Chinese businessman named Eu Tong Sen gifted a tank to the British Army by donating £6,000, the cost of a tank at the time. He requested that a pair of eyes be painted on the new tank, a request that may have initially seemed unusual. This stems from a long-standing Chinese tradition of painting eyes on boats and vessels, based on the belief that a boat without eyes cannot see its way safely across the water. When Tank No. 2341 arrived, the crew of D Battalion of what was then the Royal Tank Corps honoured his request, painting a pair of eyes on each side. The practice was later formally adopted by the 4th Royal Tank Regiment. This more modern rendition of the eye was often painted on the turret sides of the RTR's Challenger 2 tanks, near the front.

[/p][h3]“The King” Inscription[/h3][p]“The King” inscription, South Skåne Regiment (P 7), Swedish Army. Typical with many modern Swedish vehicles, many  can regularly be seen featuring bold yellow nicknames during training and exercises. These names are often linked to Norse mythology, or otherwise depict grand or powerful words, names or phrases. This particular inscription was positioned on both sides of the turret on one of the Regiment’s Strv 122B tanks, on the upper side towards the front.
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[/p][h3]Personal Motif of Lt. Shuho Yamana[/h3][p]The personal motif of Lieutenant Shuho Yamana, 2nd Yuso Hikotai (2nd Ferrying Squadron), IJAAF. Lieutenant Yamana's role in the air force was the logistical duty of aircraft ferrying, a task that often goes overlooked. He flew various military aircraft from repair yards or factories to front-line squadrons, taking no part in actual combat. His defining marker was a leaping white tiger, which he painted on several aircraft he flew. The meaning derives from an old saying that even after travelling long distances, a tiger will always return home, safe and strong. Lieutenant Yamana’s tigers were all slightly different, but this particular example was painted in the middle of the tail of a Ki-84 that he ferried in mid-1944.

[/p][h3]154º Gruppo Emblem[/h3][p]An emblem of 154º Gruppo Autonomo C.T (154th Autonomous Land-Based Fighter Group), Regia Aeronautica. Italian air markings often incorporated more humor than most, with the emblem of the 154th Fighter Group being a great example. The marking pokes fun at Britain, the typical aerial opponent of the group. It depicts a chicken pierced by an arrow through an RAF roundel, it's also painted wearing wellington boots, a typical British Cliché. As with many similar emblems several variants exist with differing levels of detail, this particular example was painted by pilot Gualberto Benzi of the 396ª Squadriglia on his C. 202. It was placed behind and below the cockpit, but general placement of the marking also included the front and side of the cockpit on the group’s C. 202 and G.50 fighters.

[/p][h3]“Eternal Flame” Personal Marking[/h3][p]“Eternal Flame” marking, Soviet Army. The Eternal Flame symbol was first created in 1957 to honor fallen soldiers of the Soviet Army during the Second World War. It is a perpetually burning flame representing the eternal memory and courage of these soldiers, and many such memorials can be found at remembrance sites today. Its use as a tank marking is much rarer, with seemingly only a handful of known examples. This specific rendition was a personal marking of a T-62M crew in Afghanistan during the 1980s. It was positioned on the right side of the cheek armor block, above and to the right of the optic port.

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[/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h3]“Super Slick” Inscription[/h3][p]“Super Slick” inscription, U.S. Army. During the Vietnam War, the most recognizable vehicle was easily the UH-1 Iroquois helicopter, which served in numerous roles during the conflict. Alongside the famous gunship variants, the transport versions of the UH-1 were much more common and were used for ferrying troops, equipment, and evacuating the wounded. These transport models were stripped of all weaponry to maximize internal space. To differentiate them from armed versions, they received the unofficial nickname “Slicks” due to their more streamlined external appearance. One of these transport helicopters, which flew with the 336th Assault Company, was aptly named “Super Slick.” It now resides at the Marion County Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The inscription was painted in the middle of the tail, just above the navigation light.

[/p][h3]7th BCC Emblem[/h3][p]An emblem of the 7e Bataillon de Chars de Combat, 3ème cie, 2ème section (7th Combat Tank Battalion, 3rd Company, 2nd Section), French Army. The battalion was active during the early stages of the Second World War, equipped with the FCM.36. This humorous marking was a personal motif and not an official emblem of the battalion. It is relatively unknown, and lacks substantial context. It resembles a portly, knife-wielding duck. The tank it was painted on also featured the inscription “Mickey,” so it may have been inspired by cartoons to some degree. It was painted on FCM.36 No. 30057 on the right side of the turret, to the left of the lower viewport.

[/p][hr][/hr][hr][/hr][p][/p][h3]3. SFltl Emblem “Schwertfisch”[/h3][p]An emblem of 3. Schnellbootflottille (3rd Fast Boat Flotilla), Kriegsmarine. The majority of early S-Boats featured various recognizable emblems displayed prominently on their sides. There was generally a link between the types of markings depicted, with boats of the 3. SFltl all using sea creatures. Aside from unified aesthetics these emblems also provided a functional purpose, as the S-Boats lost their masts they could no longer use flags for identification, so the large emblems served as a way to quickly identify each vessel. The swordfish was the emblem of S 30, and was positioned to the side of the bridge on the hull, with the nose of the swordfish pointing towards the front of the boat.[/p][p][/p][h3]131st Air Brigade “Great Red Eagle” Emblem[/h3][p]The emblem of the 131st Air Brigade “Great Red Eagle” (大红鹰), PLAAF. The 131st Brigade became famous for being one of the key operators of the J-10 fighter, known as the “No. 1 J-10 Brigade”, and an elite unit within the Air Force, boasting many skilled pilots. Some of its pilots have won the prestigious “Golden Helmet” (金头盔) award, where pilots fight each other in simulated battles. The eagle's design mirrors the Chinese characters for 131 "一三一", with the red feathers loosely forming the same shape vertically. Newer fighters use a low-visibility version of the marking, but this older more colorful variant was often placed on the tail and under the middle of the cockpit on their J-10 fighters.[/p][p] [/p][h3]Panserbataljonen Emblem[/h3][p]The emblem of the Panserbataljonen (Armored Battalion), Norwegian Army. Although more of a mechanized infantry unit than a purely armored one, the battalion was formed in Målselv on January 29th, 1987, fielding a wide variety of equipment. The badge of the battalion was inherited from the First Infantry Battalion No. 1, which was disbanded upon the creation of the Armored Battalion and absorbed into it. Despite the variant depicted here, the official name of the emblem is "Den sorte mink" (The black mink), which appears in black on the battalion's coat of arms. This variant is identical to the base emblem but painted in white, presumably for recognition and ease of identification on armored vehicles. The emblem was regularly painted on several vehicles of the battalion, and could be seen most frequently on the hull side of their CV90s, with the mink's head pointing towards the front.

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Monthly markings can be found in a special tab at the bottom of the customization menu, (Monthly Decals) after a month, they’ll be moved to their corresponding category.[/p][p][/p][p]You can check the exact terms and track the progress of completing tasks for these decals by going to your Player Profile > Decals > Monthly Decals. From here, click the “Track progress” button on each decal to track from the hangar.

[/p][carousel][/carousel][p][/p][p][/p][p]All of the emblems will come with a detailed description. This will generally consist of the history of the marking, its design, which vehicles used it, and where it was often placed on vehicles historically if applicable (some emblems are taken from badges, which weren’t always applied). This way you can more easily recreate the original positioning if you’d like.[/p][p][/p][p]We hope you like the decals for November! We’re working hard on the Spearhead major update at the moment, so until then, we hope you enjoy adding these decals to your collection, and we’ll see you in a months time![/p]

[h3][/h3][p][/p][p]Today, we welcome the long awaited bomber variant of the famous Mosquito, coming in the Spearhead major update! [/p][p] [/p][p]
[/p][h3]Vehicle History[/h3][p]Before later fame as a Fighter Bomber, among other successful variants, the Mosquito started life as a high speed bomber design. This was a novel concept at a time, since most bombers were slow and cumbersome. The Mosquito bomber variants were an entirely unarmed (offensively) fast bomber, with speed being its main weapon. Taking flight in November 1940, the prototype Mosquito utilized the powerful Rolls Royce Merlin engines, coupled with a lightweight wooden construction, earning itself the nickname of “Wooden Wonder”. The earlier B Mk IV bomber would enter service from 1941.[/p][p] [/p][p]The later B Mk XVI incorporated multiple improvements. Most notably, two-stage Merlin powerplants and a pressurised cockpit suitable for higher altitude use, where the Mosquito’s speed came to be most useful. The B Mk XVI also featured the larger bulbus bomb bay, allowing the carry of the famous 4000 lb “Blockbuster” or “Cookie” bomb as it was also known, one of the largest bombs in RAF inventory. [/p][p] [/p][p][/p][h3]Introducing the Mosquito B Mk XVI![/h3][p]It’s been a long time coming! Today we are excited to introduce the Mosquito B Mk XVI, the bomber variant of the well known Mosquito family to War Thunder. Many of you have requested this particular variant, and for good reason! Let’s meet the high speed cookie delivery bomber and see what it has to offer in battle.[/p][p] [/p][p]The Mosquito B Mk XVI is fitted with a pair of supercharged two-stage Rolls Royce Merlin 70 series engines, with much better characteristics than the current Mosquitos offer, providing this version with an excellent top speed and rate of climb, enabling superior high altitude engine performance. This will be vital to success with the XVI, as speed is your only defensive option. This version features a clear nose for the bomb aimer, meaning all of the offensive armament is not present on this version of the aircraft. [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]No guns? No problem! This Mossie has an ace card: a big bomb! The Mosquito B Mk XVI features an enlarged bomb bay, enabling it to house the famous H.C 4000 lb Blockbuster bomb (or “Cookie” bomb, hence the dev blog title) which you can already find in game on the Wellingtons, Lancasters and Lincoln. On these slow and heavy bombers, you’ll find yourself a much easier target, while the Mosquito can sweep in and deliver its payload much quicker and precisely, with enough speed to get you out of danger too! This makes this variant the perfect companion to your ground forces lineup, being ideal for Close Air Support. You get a cookie! You get a cookie! Everyone gets a cookie! In addition to the cookie bomb, you’ll be able to use conventional and AP bombs up to 500 lb, as well as RP-3 rockets and 1,000 lb Uncle Tom rockets. [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]The Mosquito B Mk XVI will be joining the game as a Squadron Vehicle, due its niche but fun role in the game. This will offer an alternative to the already vast selection of British bombers and attackers found throughout War Thunder and provide Great Britain with a new lower ranking squadron vehicle option to choose from besides the Firecrest. As with all other squadron vehicles, it can be earned through accruing squadron activity points or it can be purchased with Golden Eagles outright.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p] [/p][p]That’s all for now, you’ll be able to take to the skies in the Mosquito B Mk XVI in the Spearhead major update! Stay tuned to the news for more information on what else you can find. Until then happy battles, people.[/p][p] [/p][p]Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p]The first flight of the Heinkel He 219 prototype took place on November 6th 1942, at the Rostock-Marienehe factory airfield. The He 219 was the first combat aircraft to be equipped with ejection seats. Many modifications of the aircraft were produced, the last one being the He 219 A-7 in late 1944.[/p][p][/p][h3]The He 219 A-7 is temporarily available for purchase for 2,980 Golden Eagles![/h3][p][/p][p]When: From November 6th (11:00 GMT) until November 10th (11:00 GMT).[/p][p]Where: Germany > Aviation > Premium vehicles.[/p][p][/p][carousel][/carousel][p] [/p][p]About this aircraft[/p]

• [p]The He 219 A-7 (rank IV) is one of the most advanced modifications of the He 219, featuring upgraded engines and substantial frontal armor. In addition to its rate of climb and survivability, it also boasts powerful forward-firing armament consisting of two 20 mm and four 30 mm cannons.[/p]

[p][/p][p]Hey everyone, today we’d like to go into detail regarding the new Damage Control mechanic for naval vehicles and clarify any misconceptions about the change and repairing in general.[/p][p][/p][h3]How does the Damage Control mechanic work?[/h3][p]In the Spearhead major update, we’ll be introducing a new Damage Control (DC) mechanic for every naval vessel in the game. In this updated form of damage control, you’ll be able to pre-select three different action presets that replace the basic manual repairs: firefighting, module repair, and water pumping. After receiving damage, all three DC processes begin automatically, and you can adjust the priority of which area you want to focus on. The manual quick repair is no longer needed, as the repairs will always be carried out automatically by the crew as long as it’s possible to do so.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Every ship will have an individual DC coefficient, which will be affected by the size of the vessel, crew count, and generation of the ship. The newer the ship, the more advanced and effective its damage control process will be. A high crew count will improve this further, and relative to the amount of crew it will also be more effective in general on smaller vessels, as the damaged areas can be reached by crew faster. The coefficient reduces the time penalty for the second and third DC processes in the setup you’ve selected, but not significantly. So in short, your ship will be repaired automatically, as long as there are crew resources for it![/p][p][/p][h3]How did repairing work previously?[/h3][p][/p][p]Previously, some players deliberately did not repair knocked-out modules and compartments with the intention of “saving” part of the crew that remained in those areas. For example if the engine was destroyed, fewer crew would be there, and so less damage would be taken. This is no longer possible with the new system. The ability to do this was a consequence of the old system, but not an intended one. This “tactic” was not intentional as the advantage it gave was antithetical to gameplay and the intentions of the mechanic. We did not consider this a critical “exploit” for lack of better words, as this crew saving was not particularly impactful. For example, the combat crew of a gun turret or an ammunition elevator on a battleship is 10-20 people out of a total crew of, say, 1000 in total.[/p][p][/p][p]Fundamentally, the key issue with deliberately not repairing certain areas of the ship was that it was unfair to the player shooting at it. The most important modules are typically protected by the strongest armor, and to defeat this you need to pick the right shell, set the right range, and lead the shot accordingly. If a player does everything “right”, besting the defenses of an enemy ship, they should be rewarded for successfully carrying out that action. The unintended ability to lessen the reward for the player landing their shots harms gameplay overall.[/p][p][/p][h3]Rounding off[/h3][p][/p][p]We understand that DC may be seen as taking away agency, but this decision is in favour of fairer gameplay across the board, and rewarding the active player in the engagement. You penetrated an enemy ship in a critical spot? Excellent, you’ll be rewarded for that. You got hit by an enemy in a critical spot? Then they deserve the reward for that. This old system let a player reduce the reward gained by another player arbitrarily, and at the same time, engaging with a critically damaged ship does not exactly make for engaging gameplay, as it reduces the ability to move and fire.[/p][p][/p][p]This new system will keep ships in fighting form more effectively, and make battles more dynamic and, importantly, fair. This will also mean everyone can put more concentration into combat and action. Thank you for reading, we hope this has clarified everything for you! Please leave your feedback and suggestions on the forum and War Thunder’s social media pages. Thank you for being with us, seven feet under the keel and good luck on the waves![/p]